One year in….

On 16th June this year, i will have officially held my Permission for Aerial Work (PFAW) from the CAA. It has been the best ‘working’ year of my life.

Not the best financially, but certainly in terms of passion for my job, creativity and variety. Oh ant not spending everyday sat in an office.

I have so much to discuss about my first year; from clients i’ve worked with, customers i’ve worked for, fellow Pilots i’ve completed jobs beside. The skills i have picked up along the way, all which im planning on sharing, but will be doing a video instead of a blog post, its so much quicker and easier to ‘show and tell’

I terms of applying for my renewal, this was a quick and straight forward process.

Updated Ops Manual… basically changed some dates, and added my second Inspire. Done. They required a Pilot log, this took me 5 minutes, just a copy and paste exercise from the DJI Pilot App. Done. A copy of my recent Insurance (see video for more details) and the Standard CAA UAS Application form.

Time to complete 30 mins.

Cost £56

Sent 1st July

Received 3rd July

Yes two days!!!! Compared to the 2 months it took last year. The CAA have certainly improved their game. And a reduced price of £56 from the £113 you pay initially. I did consider using Euro USC and having an updated ‘BNUCs’, however it makes no difference to my insurance, the CAA don’t require annual renewal, and it costs £75, which is more than the actual PFAW, so its a waste of money in my opinion.

Right, i’m off to make a start on my video. If anyone has questions regarding the PFAW, renewal etc, please get in touch

 

Thumbs Up!

Drones for Wildlife Protection

Found this article interesting. A firm called, Air Shepard, has joined forces with the South African Government to operate Drones with thermal imaging camera to catch poaches of endangered species in the outback.

http://news.discovery.com/tech/night-flying-drones-fight-poachers-in-africa-160309.htm

Game keepers have their work cut out trying to enforce the law on poaching when faced with protecting thousands of square miles of land. Drones make the perfect weapon in their fight.

This just shows, with the right application, Drones really are the tool of the future.

TU!

 

DJI – Love em, Hate em. & The OSMO!

So i haven’t posted in a while, i have been busy, not being a UAS Pilot, and busy being a ground based camera man. Yorkshire weather isn’t the best. Today i got to fly, i filmed a Garden Nursery, which was nice!

Anyway this post is a quick rant, aimed right at DJI.

My Inspire 1 was damaged on 28th Aug (i drove over it – yup, that actually happened) and i sent it off to DJI to get fixed. Still waiting for the final price, but they have initially quoted 2000 Euros!!!!! For a snapped Boom Arm. Well im waiting on their response to my strongly worded email – more on that in another post.

Today DJI have released the OSMO, you probably won’t get your hands on one till mid Nov, maybe Christmas, but i for one will be buying it. As i mentioned today, i have been using my GH4, which i bought because most of my clients need ground as well as aerial footage, and the DJI have taken months to release, the OSMO.

This is my issue. I love DJI. Im my opinion they rival Apple in terms of their pure imagination and epic product design. But like Apple, they have two issues. They have a tendency to rob us of our money in broad daylight, and we like it. And secondly their customer service, is frankly shit.

Apple is the only company that makes you wait a week to get a problem fixed that they usually cause. So many times i’ve had to visit the ‘genius bar’ to get a stupid problem fixed with my iPhone. But i love my iPhone/s, and my iPads, and Macs, so i put up with it.

To be fair to Apple, at least there is somewhere in the UK, that you can actually go to fix it………….

Now DJI have finally released the OSMO – I love them. BUT. I also hate them, and for good reason. First off, they released details of this product months ago, to such fan fair, it seemed like it was due for immanent release. So we waited.

And we waited.

And we got sick of waiting. So most Inspire users, decided to sack off waiting, and bought a GH4 and a Ronin. Then they released the much better (my opinion), much cheaper (fact!) Ronin M. With a good lens, kiss good buy to £4000.

Dont get my wrong, the  GH4 with a Ronin M is epic (much better than the X3, but better than the new X5, sure there will be a video comparisons up soon), but professional standard epic. TV and Movie production quality. Not an Inspire Pilot, who originally, just wanted to get some good ground shots, and not look like a tit, holding his Inspire, in hand, running around like a fool. The OSMO, means you can now do this and look cool!

I know so many people who have decided to go down the GH4 Ronin route, who would have defiantly NOT had this been out sooner. Yes they are getting better quality footage, £4ks worth more? Don’t know, but ill ask one of them!

And another thing, and i’m sure someone else has thought this, but i can’t find it anywhere. How much is the OSMO without the X3? The promo acknowledges, Inspire users and states we can attach our camera to the OSMO, but i cant find a price for it without the new black OSMO camera that comes packaged????

AND ON THIS POINT – HOW CAN YOU ONLY CHARGE £100 MORE FOR THE OSMO, THAN AN INSPIRE X3 CAMERA IS ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://store.dji.com/product/osmo

http://store.dji.com/product/zenmuse-x3-gimbal-camera

Are you telling me that the Handheld Gimbal and all accessories, but excluding the X3 camera are only £100? Does this mean Inspire owners will be able to buy the OSMO for £100? Of course not, but imagine how annoyed people like me are, when last month we bought a new X3 Camera, for £450, and less than a month later, for only £100 more, you can get a brand new cool looking black X3 and handheld stabilised awesome thingy? DJI this is a harsh, some might even say, total bastard move.

I don’t actually think the OSMO is over priced. I don’t think DJI have much of a choice with the price point on this product, but i do think the x3 and the Phantom models are over priced.  Im just really annoyed that i wasted £450 on a new camera, and now i need to spend £550, to get what i have been holding out for since April, May, not sure when, but ages.

But maybe, this is more DJI genius. Get everyone excited about the Inspire, delay shipping, release it, everyone goes mad to own one. Make a killing. Tease the Osmo, people go crazy with anticipation. Then deiced to buy a Ronin M. Then decide to buy an S900 and attach the GH4. S900 sell well again. Then release the OSMO, and everyone goes mad again, and even the GH4/Ronin/S900 owners, who still have their Inspires, will also go mad, and buy one, because once again DJI release something amazing. Maybe this was their plan all along.

Damn, my brain hurts, this was only supposed to be a quick rant about the price difference between a x3 and the OSMO! Anyway i for one will be placing an order, as soon as i can buy the OSMO and use my own X3 and save up for a X5, eventually!

TU

Can you earn a living as UAS Pilot?

Yes.

That was quick! End of blog.

Ok, its not as simple as that, in all honestly it depends on your goal, your previous background and your determination.

First thing you need to consider is, what do i want to be? Sounds weird, but with our industry in its infancy, its a poignant question. In essence do you want to be a MD of your own company, or do you want to actually JUST fly UAS?

In 2020, there are expected to be 150,000 people across the EU, employed in the UAS sector. But unless you are a tech whizz, in which case, you wouldn’t be reading  this. In 2015, most people joining our industry, are technically the ‘middle man’ (more on that in a moment) you want to be a UAS Pilot, use your Inspire or Phantom to film golf courses, weddings, properties etc.

If this is the case, you need to think of yourself as a Managing Director first, Financial Director Second, Sales Manager Thirdly, and Pilot Finally.

You need to decide your market strategy, look at the financial implications associated with setting up the business and the profit you can make, then you need to go out and make the sales! Then, and only then can you think about flying.

I have run six different business in my time. Some successful, some not so much. But this taught me the value lesson of business acumen. There are lots of people in our industry who have none. They think because they are making money they do, but this is misguided, and it won’t belong before those ‘who do know business’ make their presence known.

This is why i said, Yes, at the start of this blog. It is becoming a saturated market, but if you are a savvy business person first, and drone enthusiast second, you will go far. Potentially very far.

I am part of a few popular forum, last week for example, a guy posted that he has made £1000 since March. I know a guy who owns a small UAS company in Doncaster who makes that a day. Im not kidding you, i have done a few days for him when he gets a big client (he isn’t the best pilot in the world, and he would acknowledge that, but this guy, man, this guy has a business model that works, and turns over £4000 a week at the moment!!!!)

In my home town, Doncaster, there are already three UAS companies. I have gotten to know them both, and we already have worked together, and sent work to each other that we cant fit in, or complete to the level the client might want.

If you just want to be a UAS Pilot, unless you live in the City, you might struggle to make a living right now. There simply aren’t enough large UAS companies that are hiring. I know, i also run a UAS Recruitment company!

Having your BNUC-s or RPQS or similar isn’t a bad thing, and it will only be a matter of time before companies will look to employ their own UAS Pilot, internally. But in the mean time, the work will go to well known and well connected UAS Pilots. Those who already know well placed people, will be successful. And those who embrace the challenges of running a small business and how to approach your client base in the most effective manner….just don’t relay on google ads, get yourself out there and think differently…..

…….this isn’t meant to brag or show off, its just to get you to think about your sales approach differently. OH yeah, I didn’t find the client OR make the sale, I was outsourced to be the Pilot, but a few weeks ago i was paid, £650 for 2 hours work, for flying over a tents for small local business!!!! I would never have even thought to approach a business like that.

The work is out there, you just need to go and find it, it won’t come to you.

TU

Selling Yourself – UAS Sales Tips

I haven’t posted anything in weeks. I haven’t stopped. Since my PFAW came through. I really miss writing my little blog.

So, this is a post i plan on adding to over the next few weeks, i just wanted to share a few pictures a friend and fellow UAS Pilot, Des Sterland of SkyHawx, took of my and my client at a local Golf Course.

I went in the see the Club back in May and offered to do a short promo video for free, as i hadn’t got my PFAW, and i wanted the experience…. my first tip, if you can get in the club pro, Golf Clubs are great places to meet the kind of people you need to meet in our industry. Its doubtful you can survive 365 days of the year, in the UK, from weddings, golf clubs and estate agents (which was originally my business plan, and many others new to the industry).

Most of these business will doubtfully, need your services, come the cold, rainy winter months…remember how much flight time you got between December and March?

I have learnt from working with SKEYEBV (more on that and them in a later post!), that if you really want to succeed in this industry and thrive, you need to make good contacts, and look more towards other industries. I don’t want to get in this now, thats a whole 3 hour writing sessions.

Anyways, back to my original comment, golf courses are great for contacts. I have already met and filmed couple of PGA Pros and on friday will be filming, Joe Miller, 2010 Long Drive Champion. There is mumbling with one or two well known golf brands as well. Mumblings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZhAc0b3NRs

My point is this. Offering your services for free, isn’t a bad way to make good contacts. The people in this world, who run companies and earn lots of money, like Golf, its a fact, you know it is 🙂

Anyways i wanted to show you these great images, taken by Des, with a Sony Nex 5n. These are going on my own personal webpage and showreel – thanks Des.

And a huge thanks to Arron Hodkin, the soon to be Pro at Wheatley Golf Club, who have given me the keys to a Golf Buggy and given me free region of his beautiful course. I must have been back five times, just to enjoy the view and food on their patio.

Now i need to learn how to play golf…and dress appropriately!

Thumbs Up Wheatley!

http://www.wheatleygolfclub.co.uk/

http://www.skeyebv.com/

You can tell which one is me, the one not dress like a golfer! The Golf Pro, Aaron, is the one dress like a Golf Pro!

Your own personal Entourage

Meet Lily. A new UAS, designed for extreme sport enthusiast, who want to take personal footage to a new level – move over GoPro!

Simply throw Lily, into the air and she uses a GPS tracker to ensures she stays close by, and alerts the drone to elevation changes. This is a great function, similar to the Perceptor Drone i wrote about last month.

You can tell Lily, to take a photo, fly in front, behind by your side, or even circle around you. And it gets better. Lily has a built in microphone which is totally awesome!

As an additional extra you can buy a waterproof case, which would make it a must have for white water rafters and surfers everywhere. Oh yeah, it floats too! POW – take that DJI!

Lily packs a 12-megapixle camera, that captures 1080p @ 60fps and 720 @ 120fps. With a 94 degree field of view, a price tag of $999 and a shipping date of Feb 2016, both the Phantom 3 and Solo have some serious competition on their hands. And it gets better still; if you like you can pre-order now and get it when it ships for $499, until June 15th so hurry!

I can tell you this, if this works as well as the promo video shows, i will be looking to buy one. It will be interesting to see, how easy it is to control without a standard RC.

THUMBS UP LILY!

Read more on Mashable. http://mashable.com/2015/05/12/lily-camera-drone-follow-video/

https://www.lily.camera/

http://www.percepto.co/

Waiting for CAA UAS Approval?

My Ops Manual has just been sent to the CAA. According to the CAA website, and my contact at EuroUSC, it takes approximately 28 days for it to be passed off and ‘permisson to fly’ to be granted. I’ve sketched the 26th May, into my mind, including weekends, so it might be longer.

So what do you do while your waiting. Or more appropriately, what can you do?

I have been toying with the idea of approaching a few local businesses, telling them about what i do, and what i can offer them. I decided on monday this week, that i would do just that.

Today i visited my first client, a prestigious Golf Course in my local Town. At 1pm this afternoon they gave me the keys to a Golf Buggy and gave to free run of the Grounds.

This is the only image of the Course, the Club’s website currently has…..

I have offered my Aerial Photography services free of charge. Why? Well, until i have received ‘Permission for Aerial Work – PFAW. Secondly, there are lots of Golf Courses in my area. Golf Courses have money and their members are generally wealthy. Its not about getting my grubby mitts on their cash, its about Networking, building a client base.

Filming a Golf Course will help improve my portfolio, i’ve tended to fly over fields and rivers of late. I spent over 4 hours on location today, this allowed me to conduct a thorough ‘pre’ on-site assessment. Using GoogleMaps on my Ipad i was able to spot local hazards. My Regional VFR Map to identified the Course is within Regional Class D Air Space, so i will need to contact my local ATC.

I cannot wait to get started in ernest. I plan on visiting the site again later this week, and the Course Manager has asked that i look to film in a few weeks, allowing the foliage to fully bloom, and the course to look its best. This gives me time to plan my shots and angles. Because i was given a Buggy, i was able to drive around the entire location, so i already have an idea of the shots i want to get.

An additional Camera Operator is going to be essential to get the best shots. Luckily the Course Pro is a UAS fan, he had already pitched the idea to the Board! He knows the shots he wants, so i will be taking some of my ‘direction’ from him.

I will post more when more happens!

DJI Inspire, Me and the Police!

If i think of Drones and the Police, i think of one thing…someones in trouble!

Back in December, i blogged about Eddie Mitchell, who was arrested for using his UAS, i think it was a Phantom. He is a CAA approved UAS Pilot, he identified himself, and was flying safely before three offices detrained him, and attempted to land the Aircraft themselves. Eddie was detained for 5 hours. Not needed.

Because of this, i called South Yorkshire Police and informed the confused Officer that took my call, who i was, my contact details and the areas i was flying. I wanted to make sure i covered my ass, and also to give the Police a bit of information about UAS (and after my experience with the Police the other day, im hoping i can work with my local force and help improve their awareness of our industry).

So on tuesday i was out flying. It was the day before my exam, i had been out for an hour that morning and it was about 2pm. I was parked at my one of my usual haunts, a collection of huge fields, that over look a Medieval Castle. Nice.

I was still sat in my car about to get out and set up to fly. They slowed as they approached my car. Both looked at me. Eeek, even though i have nothing to be guilty about, i immediately feel guilty. 20 seconds later, they pull up behind me.

I in a moment of ‘inspiration’ the best way to avoid looking guilty for something i haven’t even done… is my Inspire!

I get out the car with my black plastic case. They give me a strange look. I walk over and ask if they would like to see me fly. Another strange look.

I set up in my usual spot while they dealt with a call. 5 minutes later they are back. One of the Officers walks over, really friendly and asks if he can watch. Of course! I make sure its safe to take off. I begin with showing off the auto take off, impressed him with the auto landing gear, dazzled him with the speed and amazed him with the dual remote live stream feed. He was really impressed. Like really, impressed.

As he said, imagine how much money could be saved using a fleet of small UAV’s, as opposed to a maintaining and refuelling a Helicopter. You can imagine a future where Police cars have their own Drone in the boot and the Ground Station built into the Dash, one drives, one flies, both chase and catch the crim.

CAR ID REMOVED

Anyways i just thought i’d share my very positive experience with South Yorkshire Police, and i hope if you come into contact with Officers in the field, they are as friendly and appreciative.

Thumbs Up SYP!

Overland UAS on YouTube

So, i have finally given into peer pressure and have set up a YouTube account.

Its sole purpose is to offer the same news, reviews, comments and opinions, in another format, that is sometimes more useful than simply writing about it.

For example, a few weeks ago, i attached a few luggage straps to my Inspire case and an old Rucksack, so i can take my Inspire on my back when Mountain Biking or Hiking. Lots of people got in touch, commenting on how useful the post was, and how they could do the same thing. Its so much easier to demonstrate this visually.

So here is the details of my new YouTube channel. I will apologies in advance for my Yorkshire accent, if i need to add subtitles just let me know. Please feel free to comment or rant, i’m not a precious person, i’m still learning, and hopefully this channel can help all us newbies!

TU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqY-eq7m17o&feature=youtu.be

Drone, UAS, UAV – Terminology

Telling people i’m training to be a UAS Pilot, always draws a blank look.

Then i say ‘Drone’, and they understand and get excited. At least two of my friends asked if i’m going to “blow stuff up”?

I then have to burst their bubble, and tell them i’m only armed with a 4K camera, not Hellfire Missiles (ok that is a cool name).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AGM-114_Hellfire

Thats my issue with the using the term, Drone. People know what a Drone is because of the US and UK Drone bombing campaigns in Afghanistan, Pakistan and against ISIS of late.

I feel people have a negative association with the term. Whenever the media discuss consumer UAS incidents, like Phantoms landing on the White House Lawn, or Near Misses at Heathrow, they too refer to them as Drones. Put Drone into Google Images, first picture; DJI Phantom (then lots of US Military platforms)

So, am i actually a Drone Pilot? Or a UAS Pilot, or a UAV/RPAS Pilot?  EuroUSC refer to their students as UAS or Unmanned Aerial Systems Pilots. Maybe the qualification you have, results in what you call yourself. Put UAS into Google Images, first picture is a Quadcopter! Yay. Put UAV into Google Images, Military.

I have been somewhat confused about the whole thing since i become so engaged in the industry. I certainly will continue to refer to myself as a UAS Pilot, useful as my company is named after it!

As per, there are people who have been thinking thoughts like these for longer than i have, and know more than i do, here is another great site for newbies to the UAS industry.

You have probably come across these guys before: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems Association. A great site for information, legal and insurance advice and general news.  They have written a in depth description on their take of UAV vs UAS. Its defiantly worth a read….

https://www.uavs.org/index.php?page=what_is

http://eurousc.com/services/pilot-qualifications/

TU!